Sorry this is late, and I had to share this year's Happy Halloween wishes. Rani was a pink unicorn this year. Rani announced this year she wanted to be a unicorn and I was horrified because I never recall seeing a unicorn costume before and did not know how I was going to pull off the horn on the head thing. Imagine my relief to find a unicorn costume at K Mart. I was Thrilled!!! I have never displayed any gift of creating Halloween costumes as my friends will attest. One year I went at agent Scully after being told by about 100 people that my photo looked like her. I had never even seen the X Files so I had no clue.
Agent Scully
Hello everyone. It is that time of year again when all the schools are holding open houses, school fairs and tours to attract new students for next year. We live in the city with a 4 year old daughter so we are in the thick of searching for the best options. We have truly been comforted and surprised by the number of great options we have.
Last week we toured the St Louis City Magnet Schools and found 4 we would be delighted to have our daughter attend. Of all the schools we looked at we found Kennard Classical Junior Academy, a Blue Ribbon School, to be our first choice by a very narrow margin. We were impressed with Dewey which focuses on International Studies. The kids from Pre K to 2nd grade have 30 minutes of a foreign language every day revolving between Russian, Spanish, French, German and Mandarin and are giving the opportunity to chose in 3rd grade which language they want to focus one and become fluent in. How amazing! We were also impressed with Mallencrodt which has two teachers that have been awarded teacher of the year awards. It was reassuring to have such great choices. If the St Louis Magnet schools are an option for you, you must act now! The deadline for applying for many of the magnet schools is this week, November 13th.
We were also pleasantly surprised to read that 1 in 3 of the children who applies to attend a magnet school is accepted. My perception has always sounded so hard and you have to be in a lottery and the chance of getting in is so low....when in fact, you have a 1 in 3 chance of getting in if you apply. I wonder if the fear of perception of it being so hard keeps many families from even trying? There are three families in our small neighborhood that send their kids to a magnet school and one child from our daycare also began attending a magnet school this year. All four of these families are thrilled with the education their children are receiving. We applied last year for the 3 year old program and did not get in. This is the hardest program to get in because it has the fewest number of slots. We are hoping to have success with getting in the 4 year old program and take comfort in know that we would still have another year to get her in to start kindergarten with her class if we are not accepted in the 4 year old program. Our application is already in and the lottery is in January which results being mailed out in February so we will keep our fingers crossed.
We also have some excellent charter schools in our area that we are very excited about. The two families that were at our daycare last year and now have children in our first choice charter school are both delighted with that school. It is another very appealing offer and one that several families from the county drive in to be able to send their children to. Lastly, there are many nice parochial schools that are available. The highest percentage of kids in our neighborhood attend St Margaret of Scotland School in Shaw. It is again a nice school with computers and smart boards in every room and a great student to child ratio. The families that we know who send their children here all speak very highly of the education and the social responsibility their kids are learning there.
We love our house and we love our neighborhood. We cannot imagine finding a better place to raise our daughter. The schools have been our biggest concern and we have done a lot of reasearch, touring and contemplating. We have many many options ranging from tuition free like the magnet and charter schools to moderately priced parochial and independent schools like St Margaret’s and The Soulard School that cost the same or less than what we are already paying for daycare, to off the charts expensive private schools.
Stay tuned to find out where Miss Rani will be attending next year. We are excited to have options and ready for this next adventure.
1909 S. Compton Ave. St. Louis, MO 63104
Congratulations to the Codd's for selling and to the Bastien's for buying this great house! It was a pleasure to work with both of you. We wish the Bastien's many years of happiness in your new home! Welcome to your new neighborhood!
Congratulations to the Yeater's for recently selling their house quickly! It was great to work with you and we wish you many more happy memories in your new home!
3617 Winnebago St. St. Louis, MO 63116
Congratulations to Hillary and Kim for buying their new home! It was a pleasure to work with you and we wish you many years of happiness! Welcome to your new neighborhood!
10316 Forest Brook Ln. #B St. Louis, MO 63146
Congratulations to the O'Briens for selling their condo! It was great to work with you and we hope you enjoy Florida. We welcome the new owner to the neighborhood!!
Dear Karen and Sarah, Thanks so much for selling our condo. We're glad it's all over with. We'll have a good tax write off as the result of the price reduction! Sorry you couldn't have made a bigger commission you certainly earned it! We'll be glad to recommend you to anyone who might be selling their residence in St. Louis.
--The O'Briens
October 2-4, 2009
Come to the Award-Winning Taste of St. Louis at the Soldier's Memorial Downtown* Free Admission! Be a part of the Artist Village for the largest downtown art event in St. Louis!
* Over 300,000 expected attendance
* Over $2,000 in cash and prizes for artists
* Great food from over 30 local restaurants
* Performing Arts Stage featuring cultural performances and local talent
* Main Stage featuring national acts
1957 Timberwood Crossing Dr. Florissant, MO 63031
Congratulations to the Jones' for buying this beautiful home in Florissant! We are very excited for you and we wish you and your family many, many years of happiness! Welcome to your new neighborhood!
7028 Bancroft Ave. St. Louis, MO 63109
Congratulations to the Barnett's for purchasing their new home! We wish you many years of happiness and new memories! We are very excited for you! Welcome to the neighborhood!
Thank you so much for turning us from an anxious homeless couple into homeowners. I know we were challenging because we were determined to stick to a certain price which limited properties that you could show us-and we were really not sure what we wanted. You were so on target with your suggestions and found us a great property. Being a former real estate agent Paras is very particular, but you met and exceeded his expectations with your direction, insightful comments and your thoroughal knowledge. You have our heartfelt appreciation and admiration for your skill.
----- The Barnett's
3349 Sublette Ave. St. Louis, MO 63139
Congratulations to the Carlson's for purchasing their new home! We wish you many years of happiness! Welcome to the neighborhood!
Check out This Month in Real Estate for July 2009. This Month in Real Estate provides expert opinion and analysis on real estate trends across the nation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_-yXOLd1Xk&feature=PlayList&p=70FB5BC074D3E360&index=0&playnext=1
Happy Birthday to the Karen Schindler Team's Client Care Coordinator, Sarah Croner!
May this be her best year ever!
"Energy and Persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin
Do you love HGTV? Who do you know that wants to purchase a new house?
HGTV’s House Hunters is coming to St. Louis! HGTV is looking for fun, enthusiastic homebuyers within 90 minutes of Saint Louis, who plan to purchase a new home within the next 1 – 2 months. I would love to help you, your friends, family and coworkers make their dreams of home ownership come true and give them a chance to be the star of House Hunters St. Louis. Call or email me today with who you know who is in the market to purchase a new house, please have them call me so we can give them the start treatment!
Anne Lamott
found on www.next-right-thing.org
IT'S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS...OR IS IT? As we look back at last week, think about this for starters - the housing industry received some welcome good news, as Existing Home Sales came in better than anticipated, and marking the third straight month that Existing Home Sales have increased. And perhaps even better, the supply of unsold homes on the market dropped from the prior reading of 9.8 months down to 9.4 months - which is the best level seen in over a year. With home loan rates still at low levels and homes priced to sell - this is a great time for potential homebuyers to stop thinking, and go ahead and take some action.
Even the best hitters in baseball fail 7 out of every 10 times.
On Michael J. Fox's Always Looking UP special on optimists his thought for moving towards his goal is:
Do the Next Right Thing.
What would our country be like and our society if we measured our Gross Domestic Happiness the way that the Kingdom of Bhutan does?
Check out this Month in Real Estate for June 2009! Please click on the link below to get the latest on real estate trends and analysis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lnrH0WhCNo
1115 Wycomb Dr. Florissant, MO
We are so glad we were able to help these sellers sell their house in Florissant! It was great to work with them!
Congratulations to the new owners! We hope you enjoy your new home!
Happy 4th of July everyone!
Make it a great day to relax and enjoy time with those you love! We are looking forward to a fun evening watching the Webster Groves Fireworks with the Hoffner Schroeder crew!
We were just at the Thurman Grill enjoying the sounds of the Sean Holland Band
and they invited Rani to join them up on stage playing the tambourine.
She LOVED it! Check out our future rock star!
I just took Rani to get new pictures taken and can't believe how nice they turned out! We went to see Pam Bredenkamp with Signature Studio and she did a great job!
You can check out Pam's other work at www.SignatureStudio.com. Here is my favorite!
12175 Foxpoint in Maryland Heights, MO
We were so happy to be able to help the Yeater's find their new home! Congratulations! Before you know it you will be making many more new family memories in this great house!
Welcome to the neighborhood!
10316 Forest Brook Ln. Unit B, Creve Coeur, MO 63146
$84,900
MAKE THIS UPDATED CONDO YOUR NEW HOME! MAIN FLOOR UNIT OFFERS THE CONVENIENCE OF VERY FEW STEPS WITH THE SAFETY OF RAISED PRIVATE BALCONIES TO RELAX & ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPING. THIS IS A GREAT 2 BEDROOM 2 BATHROOM CONDO CENTRALLY LOCATED NEAR MONSANTO, THE COMMUNITY CENTER, RESTAURANTS & THEATRE THAT WELCOMES YOU FROM THE MOMENT YOU STEP ON TO THE WARM BRAZILIAN CHERRY FLOORS WITH CUSTOM INLAID DETAILING. THE LIVING ROOM IS SPACIOUS. THE DINING ROOM IS OPEN & SPACIOUS ENOUGH FOR ENTERTAINING AND/OR A HOME OFFICE. BOTH BATHROOMS & THE KITCHEN HAVE THE CERAMIC TILE FLOORS YOU DESIRE. THE EAT IN KITCHEN IS LIGHT & AIRY. MASTER SUITE HAS A LARGE PRIVATE BATH & 3 CLOSETS WITH CUSTOM ORGANIZERS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR SPACE. 2ND BEDROOM ALSO FEATURES CUSTOM CLOSETS. PRIVATE IN UNIT LAUNDRY FOR YOU TOO! THERE IS A BRAND NEW POOL & CABANNAS FOR YOU TO ENJOY! TOP THAT OFF WITH A 2 CAR GARAGE & ALL APPLIANCES STAY SAVING YOU THOUSANDS! THIS IS THE ONE YOU HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR!
Call Karen at 314-966-2626 for details or visit www.KarenSchindlerTeam.com for additional pictures!
4059 Lafayette Ave. in Botanical Heights
We were able to help these sellers sell their house after only 1 day on the market at asking price!!! We are very happy for the sellers as well as the new buyers.
Welcome to the neighborhood!!!
1909 S. Compton Ave. St. Louis, MO 63104
$309,000
YOU WILL LOVE THIS HOUSE ON A TRIPLE LOT! FROM THE MOMENT YOU WALK IN YOU WILL NOTICE THE QUALITY & ATTENTION TO DETAIL. WARM 3in BRAZILIAN CHERRY FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE OPEN FLOORPLAN. STUNNING STAIRCASE & EXPOSED BRICK. FABULOUS CUSTOM KITCHEN WITH 42in THOMASVILLE CABINETS, PULL OUT SHELVES, TRIPLE PANTRY, GRANITE COUNTERS, STAINLESS 5 BURNER COOKTOP, BOSCH DISHWASHER, KITCHENAID DOUBLE CONVECTION OVENS, LG FRIG W/ BOTTOM FREEZER, INSTANT HOT WATER & BREAKFAST BAR. SPACIOUS DINING ROOM WITH STAINED GLASS FIXTURE IS IDEAL FOR ENTERTAINING. HUGE MASTER SUITE WITH ORIGINAL MARBLE FIREPLACE. LUXURY BATHROOMS W/ CUSTOM TILE WORK, HEATED FLOORS, JACUZZI TUB, WALK IN CLOSET & 2ND FLOOR LAUNDRY. HUGE SECOND BEDROOM. ZONED 90% EFFICIENT HEATING & COOLING, UPGRADED PELLA THERMAL WINDOWS, CENTRAL VAC, 20X20 COMPOSITE DECK, TRIPLE 75 FOOT WIDE LOT, 2 CAR GARAGE PLUS OFF STREET PARKING FOR 3 CARS. MAKE THIS STUNNING HOUSE YOUR NEW HOME TODAY! GET HERE QUICK, THIS WON'T LAST!
Call Karen at 314-966-2626 for details or visit www.KarenSchindlerTeam.com for additional pictures!
16 St. Genevieve Ct. in Florissant, MO
We were happy to help The Johnson's, who were also first time home buyers, purchase their first home!
Welcome to the neighborhood!!
Kendra Todd, a nationally recognized author, lecturer and TV Personality, has just joined the Keller Williams Realty Greater Seattle market center as the head of their Luxury Homes Division. Todd, who won the popular NBC series The Apprentice, was the first woman and youngest contestant to ever win the hit reality show! During her time with the Trump Organization, she was involved with the sale of a $100 million dollar Palm Beach estate: the highest residential real estate transaction on record in the United States. Currently, Todd hosts the critically acclaimed HGTV series “My House is Worth What?” and serves as the Yahoo! Finance real estate columnist with more than 400 million registered users. “We are thrilled to welcome the Kendra Todd Group to our firm,” says Andrew Greenwell, team leader. “Her experience as an entrepreneur and insight into the real estate market has proven to be a tremendous asset to our company.”
We were able to help The Corcorans sell their house on Cloverhurst,
and buy their new house on Trinadad!!!
We are so happy we were able to help! We know you will make many more memories in your new home! Welcome to your new neighborhood!
According to National Association of Realtors President, Charles McMillan, "With the drop in interest rates, a median-income family can afford a home costing $20,000 more than a year ago for the same monthly mortgage payment."
Our interest rates are at all time historic lows. Some buyers don't understand how this benefits them, so I wanted to show you a real life example.
Let's say you wanted to purchase a new house, and the amount of money you would borrow for a mortgage is $200,000.
If your interest rate were 8.5%, your principal and interest payment would be $1,538.
If your interest rate were 6.5%, your principal and interest payment would be $1,264.
If your interest rate were 4.5%, your principal and interest payment would be $1,013.
As you can see, interest rate can make a more than $500 a month difference in reduction of yourmonthly payment at today's low rates. Will you be one of the wise people to seize the opportunity of today's market?
The US Government recently unveiled a website to inform struggling home owners of the government resources available to them. Home owners can find out answers like:
Can I refinance my house?
How do I request a loan modification?
Where do I go for help?
Do I qualify?
What lenders are participating?
Where can I apply?
How do I know if refinancing will improve my ability to stay in my home?
Get answers to these and other questions at
Affordability, low rates, desire to buy provide home for the US Housing Market. Housing affordability now stands at its best level since 1971. This greater affordability helped boost home sales in February. Especially strong was the activity attributed to first-time buyers, who represented half of all home purchasers this month. The $8,000 tax credit helped move many of these first time buyers out of rentals and into their own homes.
Hello,
Now more than ever, people are wondering how the real estate market is doing. What is my home worth right now? Are homes selling? (Yes, they are here in St. Louis) Is anyone buying? (Yes. Especially in the first time home buyer price ranges) Even if I wanted to get a loan right now, are banks and lenders lending money? (Yes. If you have good credit, 620+ scores and steady income, you can get a historically low interest rate loan.)
Check out answers to all these and more at
http://mykw.kw.com/kwintranet/image/This%20Month%20in%20Real%20Estate%20April%20US.ppt?id=894
As always, I am here to answer any questions you may have about your home or home search.
Make it a great day!
Just Sold!
We were able to help The Cobb's just sell their house in Affton! It was great to work with you both and hopefully we will be in touch again soon. Congratulations to Tim, the new home owner! Welcome to the neighborhood!
"Thanks so much for all the hard work the two of you did to get this sale completed for us. You cannot know the relief you have given to my brother and I. We truly appreciate your efforts."--Becky Cobb
